How about the Rose Furniture building? What kind of shape is it in now? The Studio?

"Fuchs said in an email. “We will use all legal channels available to get the owner to comply. However, if he does nothing, the city may have to step in and do what is needed to keep the public safe from falling items.”"

Nope. Using city money taxpayer money to assist a private property owner is not acceptable Fuchs. The property owner is responsible for this, not the taxpayer. Too free with the people's money in your downtown area. Isolating the problem, as you have done, should be the extent of the city's role in this, not rebuild the building for the owner.


The other day an article surfaced telling us the city is leaning on the citizens to get their properties squared away and will fine anyone not complying while not being "overly enthusiastic" about helping them out.

Now, we have an out of town property owner, who owns a building in dire need of attention and you are suggesting the city throw our money at it if the legal system fails to remedy the situation.

It wasn't that long ago that Mr. Fuchs was raking in money hand over fist when he was deeply involved with Countrywide high-risk, sub-prime home mortgage lending. This past profiteering prior to joining the City gravy train caused a great deal of harm to neighborhoods here and in surrounding areas. Now, he is concerned with the former downtown and the growing number of dilapidated buildings?

MJ:
Owner to make repairs on crumbling Middletown building

By Ed Richter
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
The owner of the former Reed-Klopp building in downtown Middletown told a city official that he was willing to make the necessary repairs to keep debris from falling down to the sidewalk below.

Kyle Fuchs, the city’s community revitalization director, told the Journal-News that based on the structural engineer’s evaluation, building repairs will be costly for the owner of the structure at Verity Parkway and Central Avenue.

“I’m estimating the cost to totally repair the building is between $150,000 and $250,000,” he said.”It’s not going to be a free handout from the city.”

Fuchs said the city has already spent $8,700 to have a contractor erect emergency wood fencing around the building and has yet to receive the invoice for the structural engineer’s evaluation.

He said that a local structural engineer contracted by the city has forwarded his report after evaluating the building following an extensive visit to the five-story building that included all floors and the roof.

In an Aug. 25 report prepared by Jonathan B. Morgan, president of B.D. Morgan & Co., Inc., he said that the masonry and the flashing has deteriorated to the point of falling down to the street below and that he observed numerous issues of safety and structural stability of the building.

Morgan said the immediate issues that need to be completed before occupancy includes the falling masonry, flashing and cornice work to protect public safety.

“Above and beyond the issue of repairing the most essential deterioration that is causing the present safety concerns of falling debris, it is my professional opinion that this building needs a tremendous amount of additional work both inside and out to bring it up to code and condition that would safely allow for any occupancy, use or purpose,” Morgan said in his report.

“These additional issues include consideration for the deteriorated roof, rotted floor structural and planking on each floor, elevator/accessibility, rotten windows, electrical system, fire suppression system, plumbing system, and HVAC system to name a few,” Morgan said in the report.

Fuchs told the Journal-News that the owner of the building is working with an architect and is gathering plans to submit to the city within the next few weeks.

“At that point the owner will come in and sign an agreement with us to fix it within a determined time-frame,” Fuchs said. “We want to have all the issues addressed before winter hits.”

The city’s chief building official posted a notice on Aug. 13 that the building was unsafe for occupancy and there was an imminent danger of falling bricks and other debris. The notice also ordered the building’s owner, Daniyal LLC, to do the work necessary to make the structure temporarily safe and to get the building back into compliance with the city’s building codes.

The city also erected a sturdy barrier out of pressure treated plywood to contain any objects from falling in the street.

Daniyal LLC purchased the land and building for $40,000 in 2013, according to online records from the Butler County Auditor’s Office.

The five-story brick building, which also has a basement, was built in 1917 and opened in 1919 as the Reed-Klopp Furniture Store.

In 2009, an early morning fire destroyed the building that at the time housed a Jackson Hewitt tax preparation office, causing an estimated $250,000 in damages.

Being in the Restoration trade for the past 33 years and restoring many building in the downtown after the Mall removal I have a few questions? Who is the engineering firm and credentials? A general contractor doing a visual inspection? nothing less than a physical inspection with man lift and hands on approach is unacceptable. A tube scaffolding canopy with proper load rating should have been erected for pedestrian and handicap access. simply barricading the sidewalk is in violation of such cities like Dayton & Cincinnati! I have offered my services free of charge in the past with no response. must be the truth of straight talk that scares a secret society. Good day

rowdione

The city hired a contractor to install 20 or so sheets of pressure treated plywood at a cost of $8700.00. 

After reading the latest statement from the city, it sounds more like they are irked that someone bought it for $40,000.  Didn't that fire happen years ago?  Why didn't the city go after previous owners?  This is something the city has done before.  They let buildings rot, say nothing, hold no one accountable.  As soon as the building is sold for pennies on the dollar, the city comes out in full force to jump all over the new owner.

Same thing happened when the owner of the former KC building on 1st tried to put a small addition on the east side
Coding was all over him threatening to tear it out, while the former library across the street continues to rot with the roof ready to fall in
When was the last time that the many vacancies and giveaways were code inspected?
The Rose?
Manchester/Sonshine?
Old Wards?
Studio/Strand?
Sorg Opera?

Why would anyone ever develop any of these properties?

When was the last time that the many vacancies and giveaways were code inspected?
The Rose?
Manchester/Sonshine?
Old Wards?
Studio/Strand?
Sorg Opera?

Spider, you need to add a few more to this list also:
1st National Bank....giveaway owned by HEP

I continue to just shake my head.

Posted: 2:39 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015

Unsafe Middletown building slated for repairs

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

A downtown Middletown building deemed in August to be unsafe for occupancy will have repairs done in early December, according to its owner.

The city has spent $8,700 to erect a plywood barrier outside the former Reed-Klopp building at Verity Parkway and Central Avenue to contain debris from falling into the street or from hitting passersby. Tariq I. Kahn, of Daniyal LLC, signed an agreement on Oct. 5 to complete the repairs and bring the building up to code by Dec. 4, according to the city.

“The plans were just dropped off and approved yesterday (Tuesday) morning,” said Kyle Fuchs, the city’s community revitalization director. “Now we are just waiting for the contractor to come in and obtain the permits to start the work.”

A structural engineer estimated building repairs at $150,000 to $250,000, Fuchs previously told the Journal-News.

“Our understanding in talking with the owner is that he is aware of our estimated cost to fix the building and is willing to do so,” Fuchs said. “If significant work has been started by the deadline, we are always willing to work with people whenever we can to expedite repairs and prevent any legal action. However, if no significant work has been completed, we will most likely have to cite him into court.”

The building’s masonry and flashing has deteriorated to the point of falling into the street below, according to the August report prepared by the structural engineer. Numerous safety issues and the structural stability of the building were also noted in the report.

“Above and beyond the issue of repairing the most essential deterioration that is causing the present safety concerns of falling debris, it is my professional opinion that this building needs a tremendous amount of additional work both inside and out to bring it up to code and condition that would safely allow for any occupancy, use or purpose,” the report stated.

Until the repairs are completed, the building’s owner, Daniyal LLC, cannot sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or dispose of the property. If the agreement is not complied with, the city will proceed with a previous demolition order.

Daniyal LLC purchased the land and building for $40,000 in 2013, according to online records from the Butler County Auditor’s Office.

The five-story brick building, which also has a basement, was built in 1917 and opened in 1919 as the Reed-Klopp Furniture Store.

In 2009, a fire destroyed the building that at the time housed a Jackson Hewitt tax preparation office, causing an estimated $250,000 in damages.